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This page contains press release 79/03, in which the MPA gives its response to publication of the latest British Crime Survey quarterly crime statistics.

Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).

See the MOPC website for further information.

MPA response to publication of quarterly crime statistics

79/03
16 October 2003

Toby Harris, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said today:

“We welcome the latest British Crime Survey (BCS) figures showing that crime continues to fall. Recorded crime figures for London are down by 7% for April-June 2003 compared to the same period in 2002.

“Consultation with London’s communities told us that domestic burglary and car crime were high priorities for the Met to tackle. In London domestic burglary has fallen by 8.6% year on year and autocrime by 14.8% over the same period. These figures highlight the success of targeted initiatives such as Operation Safer Homes.

“Gun crime is a real concern for all Londoners. However Operation Trident and initiatives such as Operation Guinevere in Islington yesterday, are having an impact on curtailing the problem and re-assuring all our communities that we are determined to stem the escalation of gun crime on the capital’s streets.

“It is also encouraging that the BCS shows a real fall in the number of people worried about burglary, violent crime and car crime, although the national fall in fear of crime has yet to have such a significant impact on Londoners. To this end the Authority will work to win the support and confidence of London’s communities and ensure that people’s real concerns are reflected in policing priorities.”

Toby Harris concluded:

“However, a worrying trend has emerged in the national recorded crime figures, which showed a 12% increase in violence against the person. Although figures for London are less worrying than the overall trend, it is still higher than the BCS 5% drop. We will therefore continue to work hard with the Met to ensure there is ongoing improvement in policing in London and the capital becomes a safer place for everyone.”

Notes to editors

The Home Office Quarterly Update combines information from

  • The British Crime Survey (interviews in the year to June 2003); and
  • Police recorded crime figures for the first quarter of 2003/4. Recorded crime figures are compared with first quarter of 2002/3, in order to discount seasonal variations.

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